Baytown, Texas: door-to-door solicitor permit

• The answer: Yes — an itinerant merchant license, one per rep. An itinerant merchant is anyone, and their agents and employees, who solicits or sells goods, merchandise or a service, or takes orders for them, by going from house to house (74-26). Doing that without a license from the director is unlawful (74-61(a)), and a license covers only one person and cannot be transferred (74-70).
• Where it comes from: The director of the health department, on the director's forms, as a sworn application (74-26, 74-62(a)). The director issues the license once the rep has complied, paid the fee and posted the bond (74-65).
• Fee: $15.00 per application, nonrefundable; a replacement license costs the same (74-63(a)). The application also needs a corporate surety bond of $1,000.00 (74-63(b)); a company working through agents or employees files only one $1,000.00 bond covering all of them (74-63(c)).
• Hours you may knock: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and never on a Sunday (74-32(a), (b)).
• What the rep carries: The license, prominently displayed on the rep's person the whole time goods or services are being sold (74-68). The license carries the rep's name, address and photo (74-64).
• What takes the time: Gathering the application: two recent one-inch-square photos of the rep's face, a letter from a company officer or manager confirming the rep works for the company, the company's tax identification number and state registration details, and the bond (74-62(a)). No processing time is published. A license is valid 90 consecutive calendar days (74-69).
• Code: Baytown Code of Ordinances, Chapter 74 — Peddlers and Solicitors, Article II — Itinerant Merchants and Open Air Vendors (74-26 to 74-70), last amended by Ord. No. 16,421 (3-12-26). Municode shows the code codified through Ordinance No. 16,503 enacted June 25, 2026.
• Worth knowing: Use only the front or main entrance and stay on the walkway unless invited (74-33(a)). No selling at a home that posts a sign saying entry or solicitation is forbidden (74-33(b)). The minimum fine for a violation is $200.00, and each sale or offer is a separate offense (74-30).
• Read it yourself: Baytown Code, Chapter 74 — Peddlers and Solicitors · Baytown Code of Ordinances (currency statement) · checked 21 September 2026

Ask the clerk, and write the answer down:

• Where the health department takes itinerant merchant applications, and how long issuing a license takes
• Whether the single $1,000.00 company bond can be filed once and reused for reps who apply later
• Whether a rep who only sets appointments, without taking orders, needs the license

Clerk’s name ______________ Direct line ______________ Date called ______________